Sunday, May 7, 2017

Alana's First Communion Day

The following poem goes back, back, back in time to when my sister Carol and me

celebrated our First Communion in 1950.

FIRST COMMUNION, 1950It was a long, long time ago, butI remember as if it were yesterday—My sister Carol was six; I was sevenViola, my mother's best friendsewed lovely white dresses for usMine had a bodice of white embroidered flowersand a shimmery organdy skirtCarol's, just the oppositehad an organdy bodice and flowery skirtWe wore crinoline slipsand pristine white stockingsshiny white Mary Janesand tulle veils adorned with sprigsof lily of the valley at the crown

Carol and I practiced walkingwith hands in prayerdown the long church aisleto receive the Little White Hostat the altar rail

We each nervously whisperedour first confession to the priestin a dark confessionalthe size of a small closetWe said the Act of Contritionreceived absolutionand prayed our penance prayersall in anticipationof our First Communion Day

…but, my sister became illShe had the measlesso I received my First Communionwithout her, but with all the otherFirst Communicant boys and girlsof St. Bonaventure Roman Catholic Church

We were well prepared—schooled in the liturgythe songs and prayersMost importantly, we all truly loved Jesus

As I sat, quiet and stilllike a pure wingless angelin the old wooden pewgazing at the stained glass windowslistening to the Latin Massand the ringing of the Offertory chimesmy stomach began to feel queasyI had fasted, as was the customfrom midnight, the night before—the first fast of my lifeso I thought I was just hungrybut I developed chills and felt faintand wanted to go home

Nevertheless, I said the prayersand sang the songsand received the precious Holy Breadfrom the hand of the priestupon my tongue, happythat Jesus now lived inside of me

After Mass was overI went home and straight to bedLittle red spots dotted my face and body…Measles, of course

Two Sundays laterCarol and I dressed upin our beautiful white finery--Two healthy little brides of Christand received Holy Eucharist, together

About the Poet

I'm a former newspaper reporter who now writes inspirational poetry and poems to record family history. A four-time finalist and three-time recipient of Editor's Choice Awards in the national Allen Ginsberg contest, I've twice won awards for poetry at the St. Catherine of Bologna Art Exhibition, Ringwood, NJ. My poems have appeared in "The Paterson Literary Review," "Sensations Magazine," "Lips," "The Pillar Monthly" and William W. Francis' book, "Celebrate the Feasts of the Lord." I'm a member of the North Jersey Christian Writer's Group and Ringwood Manor Association of the Arts. I have recently published a 411-page memoir in poetry. It's titled, "Wonderhoods." My chapbooks include "God's Square Mile--Poems about Ocean Grove", "A Pilgrim's Quest--A Poet Visits the Holy Land"; "From My Heart to Yours at Christmas--Cookies & Poems," and "The Widow's Song." A mom and grandmom, I remarried in 2006, and reside in the Garden State with my husband, Robert. Born again believers, we worship at Beth Israel Worship Center, Wayne, where I serve as a deaconess.